The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is inviting applications for its Cicero Traineeship Programme, offering young graduates and students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a European Union institution in Brussels, Belgium. The programme is designed for individuals who are passionate about the role of local and regional communities in Europe and believe that citizens should have a meaningful role in EU decision-making.

The five-month traineeship provides participants with the opportunity to work in a dynamic, multilingual and multinational institutional environment while gaining practical experience across different areas of EU policy. Trainees will be able to indicate their preferred choice of three CoR departments and will work alongside a small group of other trainees, allowing them to build professional networks and develop a deeper understanding of how European institutions operate.

An important part of the programme is the CoR’s YFactor scheme, through which trainees are encouraged to develop and deliver their own project addressing issues that matter to European regions and cities. Projects can take different forms, including conferences, podcasts, eBooks and other creative initiatives, giving trainees an opportunity to combine their professional interests with innovative ideas.

The Cicero traineeship lasts for five months and is undertaken on a full-time basis at 40 hours per week in Brussels, Belgium. Selected trainees receive a grant of approximately €1,538 per month, together with a travel and mobility allowance. Accident insurance is included, while health insurance coverage is available as an optional benefit.

The programme is open to EU citizens, while citizens of third countries, including the United Kingdom, may also be considered in exceptional cases if their application is of particular interest to the CoR and they meet the requirements under Belgian immigration law for legally residing and working in Belgium.

Applicants must have obtained a full undergraduate academic degree or completed at least three years of higher education at university or an equivalent institution by the application deadline. Candidates must also be fluent in at least one EU language and have a satisfactory knowledge of either English or French.

Applicants who have already completed more than eight weeks of in-house placement, whether paid or unpaid, in a European institution, body, delegation or representative office are not eligible. Individuals who have previously been employed by a European institution or body are also excluded from applying.

The CoR offers two annual traineeship sessions. The Spring Session runs from 16 February to 15 July, with applications accepted from 1 July to 1 October at noon Brussels time in the preceding year. The Autumn Session runs from 16 September to 15 February, with applications accepted from 6 January to 31 March at noon Brussels time in the same year. Applications are submitted electronically, and candidates are encouraged to apply well before the deadline because high website traffic close to the closing date could prevent an application from being successfully submitted.

This traineeship offers an opportunity to gain practical experience inside an EU institution while developing professional skills, building an international network and contributing to projects connected to the future of European regions and cities.

Scroll down below for more details and click on the official link attached to apply for this opportunity